Monday, March 19, 2007

Push, pull; old, new

Renewal and positive change keep things exciting. Buffalo's Albright-Knox Art Museum recognizes that importance this month as it sells some older, seldom-exhibited works in order to strengthen acquisition funds. It's been quite a local cause celebre (one that I won't rehash here), but it’s made me think about changes and additions to gardens large and small. A picture I took on a recent walk to the museum reminds me of how familiar landscapes react to change. I suppose some would see the sculpture in the picture (added a couple years ago) as detracting from the museum, but I was so struck by it, I took several pictures—and normally I'd never consider photographing the museum. It's too familiar.

When in England a few years back, we toured Hestercombe, designed by Lutyens in the eighteenth century and planted by Jekyll in the early twentieth. There was a lake surrounded by woodland walks and several beautifully-restored follies. But in addition to restoring the follies, the trust had brought in some new elements. Various sculptures created by contemporary artists appeared throughout the grounds, drawing the eye and providing focal points. Our party was divided on their efficacy, but I thought it was interesting that the restoration effort did not confine itself to keeping the garden frozen in time, but rather attempted to continue its development with twenty-first century additions. I don’t know if they were meant to be temporary installations; I suspect so. In any case, I admire the concept and hope to always be adding and subtracting from my garden, keeping it fresh and interesting. There will definitely be some deaccessioning this spring! And some acquisitions.

Great post, Elizabeth. I think everything needs a shakeup every now and then... and can't imagine that any garden was ever meant to be a stagnant, permanent setting. If so, they would have cast it in stone instead of plant material, right?

I showed my husband (who's English) these photos and suggested that we do something like it in the front yard where the grass has died because of the drought. He said the only one he liked was the folly. I protested that a folly would be the hardest to build. He thought about it a bit and then suggested that, like so many of our neighbors, we put a car up on blocks in the front lawn, paint it with some wild colors and call it our "redneck folly".

That artful addition to the Albright is perfect — esp. given the fact that their own building addition is such a contrast to the original part of the gallery. Your picture reminded me of a visit to the museum during my college years right after a huge snowstorm. Somehow we managed to climb up by the Caryatids and jump off into huge snowbanks. A great memory on this snowy day!

About Me

Elizabeth Licata is an avid gardener, editor of Buffalo Spree magazine, freelance writer, sometime art curator, and a member of the Garden Walk Buffalo committee. She is one of the four bloggers of Garden Rant. Licata gardens in Buffalo, which can vary from 5-6a (in sheltered positions).